Ketamine Infusion Therapy in London
Specialist-led, medically governed ketamine infusion treatment for Treatment Resistant Depression, PTSD, and chronic pain — available at our Hampstead and Knightsbridge clinics.
Important Clinical Notice
Ketamine infusion therapy is a specialist medical treatment available only following a full psychiatric eligibility assessment. It is not suitable for everyone. All treatment decisions are made by our consultant psychiatrists, with comprehensive informed consent, medical screening, and continuous monitoring protocols in place.
A Breakthrough in Psychiatric Medicine
Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic agent that, when administered in precisely controlled sub-anaesthetic doses, produces rapid and clinically meaningful antidepressant effects in many patients — often within hours, rather than the weeks typically required for conventional antidepressants.
Unlike SSRIs and SNRIs, which act on the serotonin system, ketamine targets the NMDA glutamate receptor pathway — an entirely different neurobiological mechanism. This makes it uniquely effective for patients who have not responded to conventional pharmacotherapy.
It is currently one of the most significant advances in biological psychiatry and is supported by a growing body of high-quality clinical evidence for Treatment Resistant Depression, PTSD, and chronic neuropathic pain.
Conditions Treated with Ketamine Infusion Therapy
- Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)
- PTSD and Complex PTSD (cPTSD)
- Bipolar Depression (selected cases)
- Chronic Primary Pain (selected cases)
- Suicidal ideation in treatment-resistant contexts
- Anxiety with refractory depression
Clinical Governance & Safety
Patient safety is paramount. Our ketamine programme operates within a rigorous governance framework designed in accordance with UK regulatory and professional standards:
Pre-Treatment Assessment
Full psychiatric, medical, and psychosocial evaluation. Contraindications thoroughly screened. Written informed consent required.
Continuous Monitoring
Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and mental state monitored throughout every infusion by trained clinical staff.
Ongoing Review
Regular consultant-led progress reviews, response measurement, and post-course follow-up. Psychological support integrated throughout.
Strict Contraindication Screening
Patients with a history of psychosis, uncontrolled hypertension, or certain other conditions are excluded on safety grounds.
Integrrative Psychological Support
Infusion therapy is embedded within a broader care plan including psychological support to maximise and sustain benefit.
Comprehensive Documentation
Full clinical records maintained. GP letters issued (with patient consent). Outcome measures recorded systematically.
Ketamine Therapy — Common Questions
Ketamine infusion therapy involves the intravenous administration of precisely dosed sub-anaesthetic ketamine in a controlled clinical environment. It acts via NMDA receptor pathways to produce rapid antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects — often within hours — in patients for whom conventional medications have not worked.
Candidates generally include adults with confirmed Treatment Resistant Depression or treatment-resistant PTSD who have tried at least two different antidepressant regimens and/or evidence-based therapies without sufficient benefit. All eligibility decisions are made by our consultant psychiatrists following a full clinical assessment.
When administered in a properly governed clinical setting, ketamine infusion therapy has an established safety profile with decades of use in anaesthesia and an expanding evidence base in psychiatry. Our clinic maintains comprehensive monitoring, contraindication screening, and emergency protocols. It is not suitable for everyone — hence our rigorous eligibility process.
A standard course typically comprises six IV infusions over two to three weeks. Each session lasts approximately 40–60 minutes. Patients rest briefly in a monitored recovery space before discharge. A responsible adult must accompany and transport the patient home. A consultant review follows the course, and maintenance infusions may be discussed based on clinical response.
No GP referral is required to enquire or access a consultation. However, we will request details of your treatment history and previous psychiatric records to inform our assessment. We work closely with other treating clinicians (with your consent) to ensure your care is well co-ordinated and safe.
Wondering if Ketamine Therapy is Right for You?
Our eligibility questionnaire is the first step. Our consultant team will review your answers and be in touch to discuss the most appropriate pathway for your needs.